Sri Lanka welcomes over 233,000 tourists in 29 days of December 

Sri Lanka welcomed 233,087 tourists as of 29 December, bringing the cumulative tourist arrivals for the year to 2.04 million.

Tourism Alliance calls for bold reforms as country surpasses 2 mn tourist arrival milestone

As Sri Lanka crossed two million milestone in tourist arrivals in 2024 for the second time in its history, the Sri Lanka Tourism Alliance cautioned the government and industry stakeholders against complacency, emphasising the need for urgent reforms and strategies to ensure sustainable growth in the tourism sector.

Emirates to launch additional Colombo-Dubai flight from tomorrow 

Emirates, the world’s largest international airline, is set to operate an additional scheduled service between Colombo and Dubai, starting from 2 January 2025.

CBSL to address inflation target shortfall in parliament 

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka is expected to table a report in parliament, addressing the significant deviation of headline inflation from the target outlined in the budget policy framework, the government said yesterday. Cabinet approval was granted this week for the proposal presented by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in his capacity as Minister of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development, to submit the report to parliament. The move

New ban on promoting food for children unfair for local manufacturers: confectionery industry

The confectionery industry expressed skepticism over the new ban prohibiting the promotion of food products to children under 12, which they claim creates an unfair playing field as the rules only affect food manufacturers while exempting many other industries that directly impact children’s health.

Matheesha to bowl for ComBank

Young cricket star Matheesha Pathirana has been appointed Brand Ambassador for Commercial Bank. Matheesha will specifically represent the ComBank Debit Card brand, the biggest debit card base in the country, reflecting the speed and agility of the brand, qualitiesthat heis famous for.

ASPI gains 50% during 2024

Indices closed in green as a result of price gains in counters such as National Development Bank, DFCC Bank and Commercial Bank with the turnover crossing Rs. 7.7 bn.

New Year New Challenges New Opportunities

As 2024 came to a close, Sri Lanka made significant progress in addressing, to a great extent, some of the critical issues that plunged the nation into crisis.

Limited activity on the concluding day of the year

The secondary market yield curve experienced a dull trading session on the concluding day of the year yesterday, witnessing thin trading volumes and limited activity. As a result, the yield curve remained relatively unchanged following Wednesday’s bond auction where the CBSL fully accepted Rs. 80.0bn in bonds.

Pan Asia Bank introduces ‘LIME’ fast customer on-boarding channel

Kickstarting the year 2025 with innovation and excellence, Pan Asia Bank introduces one of the fastest customer on-boarding channels ‘LIME’, setting a new benchmark in the banking industry.

RDB welcomes 2025 with renewed commitment to growth and innovation

As we welcome the year 2025, Regional Development Bank (RDB) reflects on 40 years of service and growth, from 1985 to 2025.

Siyapatha Finance expands footprint with opening of Homagama branch

Siyapatha Finance PLC, a fully-owned subsidiary of Sampath Bank PLC, ceremoniously opened its 53rd branch located at No. 134, Station Road, Homagama, recently.

First Capital Treasuries appoints new directors

First Capital Treasuries PLC, a subsidiary of First Capital Holdings PLC, announced the appointment of First Capital Treasuries Chief Executive Officer Sachith Perera as a Non-Independent Executive Director to the company’s board, with effect from January 1, 2025.

CCC sets record straight on media statements relating to CBSL policies

The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC) said it is in no way connected to or involved with the statements recently attributed to ‘The Sri Lanka Chamber of Commerce’ regarding the directives issued by the Finance Deputy Minister and Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL).

NDB Bank among Business Today 2023-2024 Top 40

National Development Bank (NDB) has been recognised once again in the prestigious Business Today Top 40 rankings for 2023-2024, securing the 15th position among Sri Lanka’s top-performing corporates.

Target your goals and go for it: A message from NSB for new year 2025

A new year always presents an opportunity to reflect and renew our commitment to achieving personal and professional goals. The New Year is not merely a date change; it is a chance to realign our priorities, sharpen our focus and chart a course toward a brighter future. National Savings Bank (NSB) invites you to embrace this spirit of renewal.

Sri Lanka’s MSMEs challenge Central Bank over loan relief circular

Sri Lanka’s micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) have accused the Central Bank of undermining both the government assurances and industry pleas by issuing a controversial circular on loan relief, without adequate consultation.

S&P Global Ratings keeps Sri Lanka in selective default territory

While Sri Lanka welcomed the credit rating upgrades by Fitch Ratings and Moody’s Investors Service, which placed the island nation out of the default status, S&P Global Ratings maintained its selective default (SD) sovereign rating.

Env. Ministry mandates businesses to register for 2025 HFC quotas

The Environment Ministry this week instructed all businesses and individuals involved in importing hydrofluorocarbon (HFC)-based products, to complete the mandatory registrations and obtain their HFC quotas for 2025.

Lack of networking a key barrier for women exporters: EDB

The lack of networking opportunities for women entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka is a significant barrier that limits their ability to thrive in global trade, according to the Export Development Board (EDB).

Home Lands Skyline acquires premier land in Negombo for US $ 40mn landmark project

Home Lands Skyline announced it has acquired five acres of premier land located in Negombo for a US $ 40 million landmark development project.

Visa warns of rising holiday fraud schemes in 2024 threat report

Visa, a global leader in digital payments, has urged the shoppers to exercise caution as fraud schemes surge during the holiday season.

ASPI records a daily gain of 1.88% with turnover reaching the year’s second-highest level at LKR 10.2 Bn

Indices closed in green as a result of price gains in counters such as Hatton National Bank, National Development Bank and Sampath Bank with the turnover crossing Rs. 10.2 Bn.

Lethargic activity continues towards year-end

The secondary market experienced a lethargic trading session towards the year end as the secondary market yield curve remained broadly unchanged.

Club Hotel Dolphin by Browns Hotels crowned ‘Best 4-Star Resort’

Club Hotel Dolphin, Waikkal, a standout property in the Browns Hotels & Resorts portfolio, clinched the award for the Best 4-Star Resort in Sri Lanka at the prestigious 7th Sri Lanka Tourism Awards, organised by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA).

Singer Group triumphs at TAGS Awards with Gold wins

Singer Group’s outstanding success at the TAGS Awards 2024, highlighted by two Gold Awards and multiple recognitions, underscores its unwavering commitment to corporate excellence and its dedication to sustainable and responsible business practices.

HNB Finance clinches Bronze at TAGS Awards 2024

The TAGS Awards Committee of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka (CA Sri Lanka) announced HNB Finance as the Bronze award winner in the Non-Bank Financial Institutions (Total Group assets between Rs. 25-75 billion) category at the TAGS Awards 2024, marking the company’s third consecutive win at the event, held at the Shangri-La Hotel, Colombo recently.

Asia Capital denies claims of offer from MAC Holdings for majority stake

Asia Capital PLC, along with its majority owner Dato Vijay Eswaran, has categorically denied recent claims circulating on social media that MAC Holdings has made a formal offer to acquire a majority stake in the company.

Ceylinco Life closes 2024 with 13 awards

Ceylinco Life has brought 2024 to a close on a victorious note, winning a total of 13 awards, 11 for distinction in financial reporting and two for brand excellence.

Everbolt Engineering wins three at Entrepreneur Awards

Everbolt Engineering Pvt. Ltd., has clinched three awards with Silver for the Best Entrepreneur of the year (Overall winner), gold for Best Innovative Enterprise and gold for Best Enterprise of Service Sector under medium category at the Western Provincial Entrepreneur Awards, 2024.